KOBE Paras gave Team Philippines a reason to celebrate after he retained his title in the FIBA 3x3 Slam Dunk Contest in Debrecen, Hungary.
The UCLA-bound teen sensation beat out competition from the United States, Uruguay and Hungary in the finals, baring his intent early with a dunk worth 56 points to lead the qualifying round.
His second straight finals apperance was assured with a reverse windmill dunk that he later followed up with a between-the-legs slam in the eliminations.
In the finals, Paras faced off against Jalek Felton of Team USA, Uruguay's Agustin Da Costa and local standout Mark Boros.
Felton had an impressive showing on several of his dunks, highlighted by a pass from a teammate in the stands that he caught before putting down a double-pump dunk for a total of 49 points.
After muffing his first attempt, Paras recovered with an off-the-bounce two-handed windmill. In the second round, he displayed his athletic prowess by jumping over his teammates and coach on the way to the basket. Those two two dunks worth 49 points tied him with Felton.
In the last round, Felton failed on first three attempts with his inability to catch a bounce pass from his teammate before going for a between-the-legs dunk that earned him 29 points.
Paras took the gold medal with a fluid reverse dunk, earning him perfect 10s from the panel of judges.
Da Costa completed the podium finish by winning the bronze medal.
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